Diageo said its finance head of six years, Kathryn Mikells, will leave the company at the end of June and named chief financial officer of its North American operations Lavanya Chandrashekar as her successor.
Ivan Menezes, chief executive, Diageo, commented: "I am immensely grateful for the leadership role Kathy [Mikells] has played in making Diageo a consistent top-tier performer."
"She has made a significant contribution to Diageo’s improved performance trajectory, including her leadership of a substantial global productivity programme and her critical role in active management of our brand portfolio through our acquisition and disposal activities," he added.
Wealth Of Experience
Chandrashekar, who joined London-listed Diageo in July 2018, has held roles in snack maker Mondelēz International and consumer goods company Procter & Gamble, Diageo recently said.
She joined Diageo in July 2018 as chief financial officer, Diageo North America.
In this role, she has partnered to drive the acceleration of growth in Diageo’s North American business and, subsequently, has taken on accountability for Investor Relations globally.
Chandrashekar previously spent four and a half years at Mondelēz International in various senior finance positions in North America, Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa, the company said.
Latterly, as VP Finance, Global Cost Leadership and Supply Chain, Chandrashekar led an end-to-end global productivity programme that delivered strong operating margin improvement.
Prior to Mondelēz International, she spent 18 years at Procter & Gamble in senior finance positions in India, Asia, Europe and North America, it added.
Menezes said: "I am delighted that Lavanya [Chandrashekar] will take up the role of chief financial officer. She brings a breadth of international experience, has an exceptional grasp of consumer products value creation and world class experience of effective cost management."
"I am confident she will be a huge asset to the Diageo Executive team and Board when she joins on 1 July,” he added.
Mikells and Chandrashekar will undertake a full handover prior to their transitions at the end of June 2021.
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